For Monday, we'll be peer reviewing the essays of those 5 or 6 people in each section. We will look at their essays in class.
Everyone else MUST bring in a rough draft of what they have completed of Essay 1. This means that no matter how much you have written, you must hand in something typed up.
For Wednesday, consider the following quote:
"There is nothing practical about a practical joke." Be prepared to explain your interpretation of this.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Homework Reminder
Please remember that in addition to a schedule change and library session next week (if you weren't in class today, you'll need to ask someone in your group), you will also be expected to write 1 body paragraph using ONE of the four Main Idea sentences.
[In other words one of the sentences below will be the FIRST sentence in your body paragraph. I will grade you on how well you develop the paragraph based on the 5 part formula I've given you in class. I will also assign an in-class follow-up writing assignment based on this exercise, so be sure you prioritize this.]
1) A hoax is a prank with magic in it.
2) Being required to multitask limits our creativity (or productivity).
3) Our tolerance of pain is subjective.
4) Friendship is more important than love. (You may choose to replace "important" with another adjective.)
See you next week.
UPDATE***
Here's next week's schedule, as a reminder:
Monday -- NYCCT is closed
Tuesday -- Classes follow a Monday schedule (we meet this day)
Wednesday -- Our class meets at its regularly scheduled time, but in the Library (4th Floor, Atrium Bldg.)
[In other words one of the sentences below will be the FIRST sentence in your body paragraph. I will grade you on how well you develop the paragraph based on the 5 part formula I've given you in class. I will also assign an in-class follow-up writing assignment based on this exercise, so be sure you prioritize this.]
1) A hoax is a prank with magic in it.
2) Being required to multitask limits our creativity (or productivity).
3) Our tolerance of pain is subjective.
4) Friendship is more important than love. (You may choose to replace "important" with another adjective.)
See you next week.
UPDATE***
Here's next week's schedule, as a reminder:
Monday -- NYCCT is closed
Tuesday -- Classes follow a Monday schedule (we meet this day)
Wednesday -- Our class meets at its regularly scheduled time, but in the Library (4th Floor, Atrium Bldg.)
Monday, February 13, 2012
The Word B***h
When speaking of the word Bitch, it is assumed automatically that is it being referred to how a woman’s persona is described, well because it is simple a major reason it is used. People say things like “that bitch is a dumbass”, not considering that the person they are saying this too, might become a very insecure person. Woman now-a-days have become more strong, but strong in a way where they have more of an attitude towards men because they feel that men down grade them so much, that they have to fight to be above them. It was said that woman years ago were gentle and more “flower” like, because they received that respect, guessing that men felt they had crazy power, they have the right to offend and not acknowledge women and their hard work. One simple word can change society in a crazy way, woman now feel like they have to think twice about saying or doing something without someone calling them a B***h or saying they are doing “B***h” things. It is sad that this word has changed woman and how they act in a negative way but, this is the way it is for now until someone finds another reason to use this word.
(Tatiana L., Antonio T., Abraham H., Travis G.)
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Gay
The term gay was originally used into the mid-20th century, primarily to refer to feelings of being "happy", "cheerful" etc. The term later began to be used in reference to homosexuality, having a sexual attraction to a person of the same sex, which the word is still being used today. Nowadays people are using the word Gay to describe something that isn't "cool". For example people will be saying things like going to class is gay, or the movie is gay, or this type of music is gay. Recently a rapper by the name of Tyler the Creator has used the word "gay" a lot in his songs about five hundred times, many people today thought of him as a homophobic. Which he later decline in a old interview he had by saying "I'm not homophobic. I just think f*ggot hits and hurts people. It hits. And gay just means you're stupid. I don't know, we don't think about it, we're just kids. We don't think about that sh*t. But I don't hate gay people. I don't want anyone to think I'm homophobic - Tyler The Creator. If he doesn't want people thinking he's homophobic, then why does he continue to use this word to say something that isn't "cool". Even people in today society use the word "gay" just to insult people its the same as calling someone fat or stupid even though they're not. In today world the word gay will always have a negative effect on a person, who knows how long this will last until the word gay gets its old meaning by being happy, and cheerful etc.
Group - Christian Rodriguez, Stanley ____, Christopher ____, Daniel_____, James _____
Group - Christian Rodriguez, Stanley ____, Christopher ____, Daniel_____, James _____
Saturday, February 11, 2012
F***
The "F" word is referred to a vulgar word in most cases. The definition of F*** is an act of sexual intercourse. Today in our society, sadly, the use of the "F" word is common. Some people say the "F" word to show anger, annoyance, or impatience. For example, if someone is so mad at a person, and they do not want to see them they would probably say " What the f***, leave alone!" That's how they would express themself. Also the use of the "F" word by a child is more shockng than a teenager or an adult. When a child says the "F" word it sounds more bad than when a teenager or adult does because children are supposed to be innocent and no word like that should come out of their mouth. Unfortunatly, when a teen or adult uses that word we don't mind as much.. We hear it everyday outside, at the subway, in school, or even at home. The meaning of the F*** word has changed over the years.
GROUP:(Hector,Ji,Aaisha,Zinab and Orlando)
Friday, February 10, 2012
The word Stupid
The word Stupid, 'A lack of intelligence or common sense, ' Is now being used entirely different from that of the original definition. When the word "stupid" is being used, it is commonly used to discourage someone, usually to mean someone is dumb, foolish, obtuse, fatuous, etc. Now when you hear the word 'Stupid' the word can be meant as something or someone is Interesting, amusing, entertaining and so on.
In short, for someone to say "Yo those sneakers are stupid!" Can actually mean the Sneakers are very nice; or for a more oxymoron approach, for someone to say " You're stupid smart," actually means you're very smart. Mainly the way you use the word stupid is in correlation in what you and your peers are doing. Calling someone stupid when they're crossing through a highway will have a significantly different meaning than when the word stupid is being used when you receive an A or you exam. The word "Stupid" is now used to have either an encouraging or discouraging affect amongst your peers.
In short, for someone to say "Yo those sneakers are stupid!" Can actually mean the Sneakers are very nice; or for a more oxymoron approach, for someone to say " You're stupid smart," actually means you're very smart. Mainly the way you use the word stupid is in correlation in what you and your peers are doing. Calling someone stupid when they're crossing through a highway will have a significantly different meaning than when the word stupid is being used when you receive an A or you exam. The word "Stupid" is now used to have either an encouraging or discouraging affect amongst your peers.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
YO
Group: Melissa Romero, Bryan Gomez, Yisha He, Fu Chen, Brian Zhu, Victor Rodmanijr
Ways yo is used:
-yo, wait up!
-yo son!
-what's yo problem?
Definition: get someone's attention, express excitement or greet someone.
Teenagers and young adults use it to stop or grab someone's attention. It is also replaces words like "hi" or "hey". A typical way yo is used, is when someone does not know your name. Instead of saying, Mark, how you doing?, it is used, yo, how you doing? Yo is also used to downgrade people or act tough but it is usually an offensive word. Its an innocent word but for some reason, it has expanded in many ways that can hurt someone. But of course, it all depends on the person and their tone.
Ways yo is used:
-yo, wait up!
-yo son!
-what's yo problem?
-yo, come here
Yesterday’s discussion 2/8 (Extra)
For the laughter:
After the discussion of the "N" word and on certain people being able to use certain words, I recalled a comedian named Tim Minchin, who made a song relating to this point.
The video can be seen on youtube: Tim Minchin Prejudice
Son
The text book definition of son would be a boy or man in relation to either or both of his parents. In the minority communities there has been changes to the perception of this word, now its not only a father and son bond but also a friends bond. It is being spoken in a sense of one person relating to another. People use this word to call there friends , an example would be " hey son how you doing". Like many other words context is key , circumstances make it unusable. It can't be used to address someone you respect or are supposed to have a sense of respect towards them like a teacher or your parents. This word , like many others, is an example on how consensus of a concept is not necessarily the best for the society.
Group : Emmanuel Oviedo, Carl Wolfe , Terrell Jones , Dreana _____ , Manuel _____.
Group : Emmanuel Oviedo, Carl Wolfe , Terrell Jones , Dreana _____ , Manuel _____.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Chink
GROUP: Roody Innocent, Abdoulago Diallo, Johnathan Tse, Olivia Chalumo, Dashuang Ni, Yasmin Elwasli
Would you answer someone if they called you "chink"? Like many words today, chink has transcended from our ordinary vocabulary into a derogatory slang word. Now, it has manifested itself into its own meaning. In the dictionary, chink means a crack, chip or narrow opening but chink isn't being used properly by slang users. They use it to refer to people of East Asian decent in a demeaning manor. The word chink holds the same power, offensiveness, and terms as the "N" word does. Often enough, oriental cultured persons would call each other chink as African Americans call each other nigga, but if another race were to address the primary race as such, it abruptly becomes an insult. It seems that no matter where you are, there is a cultural word for a race to address each other. These words are very delicate yet powerful and may stimulate additional issues when being used the wrong way.
Bitch
Group Members: Robert Rivera, Mahumdul Robin, Shaniqua Walker & Kendra King-Porowne
The definition of the word bitch means female dog. In today's society, the term is used in a different context. Teens/young adults use the word in a friendly way. Women often refer to themselves and others as a bitch. However, if a man were to call a woman a bitch, she would take offense automatically and would consider the word to be disrespectful and hurtful. The words meaning can vary depending when, where, why, and how it's being used. For instance, if a woman was being malicious or disrespectful, she would be considered a bitch. Her attitude isn't positive and thats when the meaning of the term bitch changes into something negative. From a woman's perspective, a positive example of when being called a bitch is if a woman is refering to her friend as a bitch. Instead of saying "That's my friend," she'll say, "That's my bitch." The word bitch can either has a positive effect or negative effect on a person depending on how it is being used.
The definition of the word bitch means female dog. In today's society, the term is used in a different context. Teens/young adults use the word in a friendly way. Women often refer to themselves and others as a bitch. However, if a man were to call a woman a bitch, she would take offense automatically and would consider the word to be disrespectful and hurtful. The words meaning can vary depending when, where, why, and how it's being used. For instance, if a woman was being malicious or disrespectful, she would be considered a bitch. Her attitude isn't positive and thats when the meaning of the term bitch changes into something negative. From a woman's perspective, a positive example of when being called a bitch is if a woman is refering to her friend as a bitch. Instead of saying "That's my friend," she'll say, "That's my bitch." The word bitch can either has a positive effect or negative effect on a person depending on how it is being used.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Thought-piece
If you could reduce one aspect of human (inter)action by 20%, which aspect of our existence would it be? Why?
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Introduction - Essay 1
[I mentioned that I'd be writing an introduction to our Freedom Essay along with you. I'm posting it here.]
After watching CNN repeatedly broadcast from dozens of angles as both towers fell into Manhattan's floor; of businesspeople leaping from upper story windows, their arms and legs flailing in midair; of despairing and defeated rescue workers limping through that ashen tomb of invisible and instant death; who among us did not at some point cry out for swift and aggressive retaliation? In the wake of such a disaster, it is customary for the media and the US government to placate Americans by making two types of promises. The first is a vow of instant justice for the guilty party. The second is an incessant call for “enduring freedom” to be quickly meted out by US military mobilization and later, invasion and bombardment. This latter example (that of enduring freedom) illustrates how the concept of “freedom” has been transformed since 9/11. From that fateful day onward, when we hear politicians and US citizens speak of freedom, what we are really hearing is a call to oppress others. Our quest for freedom has become inextricably linked to stealing freedom from others.
After watching CNN repeatedly broadcast from dozens of angles as both towers fell into Manhattan's floor; of businesspeople leaping from upper story windows, their arms and legs flailing in midair; of despairing and defeated rescue workers limping through that ashen tomb of invisible and instant death; who among us did not at some point cry out for swift and aggressive retaliation? In the wake of such a disaster, it is customary for the media and the US government to placate Americans by making two types of promises. The first is a vow of instant justice for the guilty party. The second is an incessant call for “enduring freedom” to be quickly meted out by US military mobilization and later, invasion and bombardment. This latter example (that of enduring freedom) illustrates how the concept of “freedom” has been transformed since 9/11. From that fateful day onward, when we hear politicians and US citizens speak of freedom, what we are really hearing is a call to oppress others. Our quest for freedom has become inextricably linked to stealing freedom from others.
Addition to our blog
You'll notice a new category to the right. These are readings I'd recommend to those who really want to get to the next level with regard to our writing. Elements of Style links to a free version, but the others are linked to amazon, where you may purchase the book). You may choose to look for these in the library, or you may just decide that what you learn this semester is enough. Regardless, it's good to have some books to turn to if you need them, which is the whole reason I posted the links here.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
"To My Old Master"
I spoke about this letter in my 10 am class today. We were discussing how freedom for some (and equality...eventually) leads to others losing rights. This might be one example we use in our essays.
Regardless of whether you use it or not, it's a great read and worth reading. It's also a great "F*** You" to a former slaveowner.
Read more here
Regardless of whether you use it or not, it's a great read and worth reading. It's also a great "F*** You" to a former slaveowner.
Read more here
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